Readers Advisor

I’m Mary K.–librarian, mom, blogger, reader. I believe there’s no such thing as too many books–if you do, too, you’re in the right place! Browse this page for great finds from across our collection. What will you read next?

If You Like...

In Help, Thanks, Wow, popular novelist and spiritual writer Anne Lamott offers three simple prayers that can make a world of difference in the life of a believer. In this slim volume (just over 100 pages) Lamott includes personal reflections and amusing anecdotes to illustrate her insights, celebrating the divine and explaining our need for a higher power. Her three "essential prayers"--seeking help and offering thanks and praise--will resonate with many readers during the Easter season. Marked by their self-deprecating humor and openness, Lamott's nonfiction works are largely autobiographical and cover such subjects as alcoholism, single motherhood, depression and Christianity.

The Spur Awards recognize distinguished writing in the Western field and are given annually by the Western Writers of America organization. Founded in 1953 with only four categories (western novel, historical novel, juvenile and short story), the award today has expanded to include more than a dozen categories. Thomas Cobb, 2013 winner of Best Western Long Novel for With Blood in Their Eyes(and author of the novel Crazy Heart, the basis for the film that won Jeff Bridges a Best Actor Oscar in 2009) had stiff competition this year from contenders. The Orchardist, a beautifully rich historical novel set in the fruit-growing country around Cashmere, WA, and Country of the Bad Wolfes, an epic about the rise of a borderland crime family and the violent history along the Mexican-American border in the 1800s, both are equally deserving of attention for historical fiction lovers. (See other Spur Award winners.)

Sponsored the the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and awarded annually, the Books for a Better Life Award was founded in 1995 with the intention of recognizing self-improvement book authors. The award is given to books published during the previous year in ten categories, ranging from cookbooks to spirituality. Check out the 2013 winners, announced at a ceremony on March 11th.

The 2013 Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist was announced on Wednesday, March 13th. The award, in its 18th year and formerly known as the Orange Prize, celebrates writing by women in English from around the world. This year's competition is steep, with Hilary Mantel striving to clean sweep Britain's top three literary prizes for Bring Up the Bodies. (This title previously won the Booker and Costa prizes.) Nominees include Gillian Flynn for her oh-so-popular bestseller Gone Girl, as well as previous winners Barbara Kingsolver and Zadie Smith. The winner will be announced in London on June 5th, 2013. It is interesting to compare the cover art for the British editions featured on the Women's Prize for Fiction website with the U.S. cover art which can be seen by viewing the list in the library catalog. All good reading - enjoy!

Lois Lowry's The Giverwon the Newbery Medal in 1994 for its thought-provoking exploration of a world without choices. Then came Gathering Blueand Messenger, which explore the same haunting themes. Technically for children, these books and the questions they invoke have intrigued readers of all ages. Lowry, who celebrates her 76th birthday on March 20, recently concluded The Giver quartet with the publication of Son. Set in the same familiar world, Son follows a 14-year-old birth mother's quest to find her child after he is taken from her. This thrilling conclusion to an acclaimed series once again raises fascinating questions and offers a powerful message about hope and the nature of love.